MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – -- Inspectors for the Best of the West mess hall competition visited Gonzales Hall aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 26.
Inspectors are slated to visit several Marine Corps installations along the West Coast to see who has what it takes to earn the title of “Best of the West.” The air station’s mess hall competed in and won the competition in 2012 and hopes to regain the title this year.
“We try to identify those mess halls in the Marine Corps that stand above the rest,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Eric Joseph, food service technician and inspector for the competition. “Everybody wants to be identified as the best. We want to show that to not only the areas these mess halls are in, but the entire Marine Corps as well.”
Judges inspect based on performance, communication, cleanliness, training and sanitation among other factors. Their scores will then be compared to other mess halls in the region to see who moves on to compete for the Best in the Marine Corps competition.
“We’re looking at the whole food service picture,” said Chief Warrant Officer Jason Davis, food service officer and inspector for the competition. “It’s all about the food service program; the partnership with Sodexo, and the Marines maintaining core competencies in their food service skills.”
Davis also understands what the competition could mean to the Marines competing, but knows it isn’t just about winning.
“I think it’s personal,” said Davis. “It’s definitely a bragging right for them, as a team, to win this. We’re here to help improve the food service program in any way that we can, but at the same time we have to inspect them according to Marine Corps standards.”
To some of the Marines and employees at the mess hall, this is just another day at work.
“Nothing has really changed, it’s just another day except that now there are people watching,” said Cpl. Daniel Fedosh, assistant chief cook at Gonzales Hall. “Our Marines work hard every day; long hours to accommodate a 24-hour schedule. We work hard together, and that hasn’t changed now that we are competing. Our Marines are constantly trying to improve and we want to showcase that.”
Fedosh expressed that recognition would be nice considering the hard work and dedication his Marines exhibit daily to ensure their patrons are well fed and happy.
The competition is slated to continue to other installations throughout the West Coast and results are scheduled to be posted as soon as all scores are calculated and finalized.